Support structure for supporting furniture



Dec. 13, 1966 E. P. RUDA 3,291,079

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING FURNITURE Filed Aug. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR a zhwdpzada BYJ M f of fl A TTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 E. P. RUDA 3,291,079

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING FURNITURE Filed Aug. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,291,079 SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING FURNITURE Edward P. Ruda, Bellwood, 111., assignor to Garey Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 481,769 5 Claims. (Cl. 108-156) This invention relates to a support structure for supporting furniture, such as a showcase, for example, and is particularly concerned with a lug welded to a rigid frame to facilitate detachable attachment of legs to the frame, and to stabilize the leg structure by providing adequate support therefor against the pressure exerted across the joints between the legs and a rigid frame that supports a load of considerable magnitude, such as, for example, a showcase, or other article of furniture.

In furniture of the type supported on a metal base, it is desirable to weld the frame parts of the base to provide the requisite strength. The attachment of detachable legs to such frames has heretofore been unsatisfactory because the support afforded by such legs was not sufliciently sturdy to withstand the forces to which the joints between the legs and the base were subjected, particularly in cases where an article of furniture, such as a showcase or cabinet, for example, was loaded with merchandise.

In accordance with my invention, a lug welded to the frame of a base member, and depending therefrom, serves to stabilize the leg construction of a frame designed to support a showcase, or other article of furniture, above the floor level. Tubular legs of various sizes may be detachably secured to such lugs either before or after the furniture is completely fabricated.

The frame member usually comprises four angle irons welded into rectangular form. The horizontal flanges of the angle irons may extend either inwardly or outwardly with respect to the vertical flanges. If the horizontal flanges of the angle irons extend inwardly of the vertical flanges, the lugs will preferably be welded to the frame within the corner angle of the frame. If the horizontal flanges extend outwardly relative to the vertical flanges, the lugs may be welded to the frame either within the corner angle or outside of said angle.

When the lug is welded within the corner angle of a frame having the horizontal flanges of the angle irons extending outwardly from the vertical flanges, the vertical flanges of the frame are completely exposed immediately adjacent the top of the visible portions of the legs, and the horizontal flanges have only a thin edge exposed. When the lug is welded to the frame outside the angle of the corner construction, in a frame of the type having the horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the vertical flanges, a portion of each lug between the upper end of the tubular leg and the horizontal flange is exposed. If the tubular leg has a high finish, the exposed portions of the lugs may deleteriously affect the appearance of the structure, because the welded lug cannot easily be provided with a finish to match the finish of the tubular leg. Wall portions of the tubular legs that would normally engage the lower edge of the vertical flanges may be cut away so that the upper edge of the tubular leg can abut the underside of the horizontal flanges of the frame, and the tubular legs can completely cover the portions of the lugs that would otherwise be exposed in front of the vertical flange of the frame.

Until the present invention, it was impractical to provide a welded frame with legs having a high finish be cause legs that were not welded to the frame did not provide suflicient support for the showcase or other furniture. Legs having a high finish usually cannot be welded to a frame without spoiling the finish, wth the conse- 3,29Lfi79 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 quence that additional labor is required to refinish the legs after the welding operation. It is impractical to weld legs to the frame, and then provide them with a high finish because small units, such as individual legs, can be finished on a mass production basis before the legs are secured to the frame, but not after such securement.

In the structure of the present invention, the legs may be provided with any desirable finish, and may be attached to the frame without scratching or marring the finish in any way. When the legs are attached to the lugs which are welded to the frame, the lugs provide the support of a welded structure at the joints between the upper end of the legs and the frame, and the support structure for the showcase or other article of furniture is as strong as if the legs were welded to the frame. The legs cannot be detached from the frame accidentally, but may be easily removed therefrom when desired.

Each of the lugs is drilled from one end to provide an axial bore extending from said one end for-a substantial portion of its length. After the lug is drilled, the bore is tapped, and the lug is slotted axially through its entire width from the same end that is drilled. The lug may be slotted first, but it is then necessary to hold the sections of the lug against lateral spread while the lug is being drilled and tapped. The lug is preferably provided with two slots disposed at right angles to each other, but one or more slots may be provided, as desired. Each slot is preferably somewhat longer than the axial bore, but terminates short of the opposite end of the lug.

The slot or slots divide one end of the lug into a plurality of sections that can be spread laterally to a limited extent relative to each other, so that the lug can be wedged into holding engagement with a tubular leg telescoped over it. The tubular leg which is telescoped over the lower end of the lug may be of any desirable cross-sectional configuration so long as it defines an opening that conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the lug, but is preferably rectangular or circular in cross section.

The threaded axial bore in the slotted end of the lug is adapted to receive a threaded screw which may be turned therein to spread the sections of the lug outwardly from each other, and thus expand the lug laterally so as to wedge it into holding engagement with the inner surface of the tublular leg. If the tubular leg fits over the lug too loosely, one or more shims may be inserted between the outer surface of the lug and the inner surface of the tubular leg, so that legs of different sizes may be detachably secured to the same lug.

The lower end of the tubular leg is open to provide access to a screw that is turned in threaded engagement with the axial bore in the free end of the lug after the tubular leg is telescoped over the lug. If the leg is provided with a leveling device, the nut welded within the leg to receive the leveling screw is provided with an opening large enough to permit insertion of a screw driver or wrench. The screw driver or wrench is inserted through the open end of the tubular leg and through the opening in the leveling nut into engagement with the screw. The leveling screw is not secured in place until after the leg is secured to the lug. The process is reversed to remove the tubular leg from the frame.

Suitable structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained will be fully described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing several preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, on a reduced scale, showing the underside of a frame having a base member mounted thereon, and a pair of tubular legs detachably secured to the frame;

FIGURE 2 is a series of schematic figures showing, from top to bottom, a bottom elevational view of the stabilizing lug having one end slotted; the slotted end of the lug with a threaded axial bore therein to receive a screw; and the slotted end of the lug as it is expanded laterally by a screw threaded in the axial bore;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, showing the means for wedging a lug into holding engagement with a tubular leg having a leveling nut welded therein;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the leg structure of FIGURE 3, with the leveling screw in place;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view showing two shims positioned between a lug and a tubular leg having a larger cross section than the lug;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a tubular leg with a pair of shims ready for insertion therein;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, on a reduced scale, showing a base corner structure in which a tubular leg is secured to a lug welded to the frame within the angle of the adjacent frame members;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken in a plane extending through the slot of the stabilizing lug;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional View, taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a frame on which a base is mounted, and in which a tubular cylinder leg is secured to the frame by a lug welded within the corner angle of the frame;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view of the structure of FIGURE 10, with the tubular cylindrical leg shown in perspective in separated position; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the structure of FIGURE 10.

In FIGURE 1, a frame 12 supports a base member 13, and is supported above floor level by a plurality of legs 14 of any suitable height detachably secured to the frame. The legs cannot be accidentally displaced from the frame, and there is no visual indication that the legs are detachable. Generally, four legs 14 are provided, but additional legs may be used intermediate the length of the frame, depending upon the length of the structure. The base member 13, which is secured to the frame 12 in any suitable manner, may support a showcase or similar structure, or may constitute the base of such structure. The tubular leg construction may also be used in the construction of tables, counters, or other articles of furniture.

The frame 12 may be of any desired shape. Preferably, it comprises a plurality of angle irons 16 welded to each other at adjoining ends to form a rectangle. Each angle iron 16 comprises a horizontal flange 17 and a vertical flange 18. In FIGURES l, 3, 4 and 10-12 of the drawings, the frame 12 is welded with the horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the upper edges of the vertical flanges. In FIGURES 7-9, the horizontal flanges extend inwardly from the upper edges of the vertical flanges. A lug 19, which serves to stabilize the leg construction, is welded to the frame 12 at every point at which a leg is to be attached to the frame. The lugs 19 are preferably welded to both horizontal and vertical flanges 17 and 18 in parallel relationship to each other, and each lug depends below the lower edge of the vertical flange. Each frame usually has four identical corners, and in each embodiment the description will be limited to a single corner construction. The structure by means of which tubular legs are secured to a frame intermediate its length will be obvious from the description of the corner construction.

The lug 19 is provided with an axial bore 22 extending inwardly from its free end and threaded to receive a screw 23. The free end of the lug is slotted in an axial direction, as indicated at 21. The lug is preferably provided with two slots extending at right angles to each other, but one or three or more slots may be used, if desired. The slots extend across the entire width of the lug and are preferably longer than the bore 22, but terminate short of the upper end of the lug. In practice,

a tubular leg 14 is telescoped over lug 19, and the screw 23 is threaded into the axial bore 22 to spread the slotted end portion of the lug within the tubular leg. Rotation of the screw in the axial bore wedges the lug against the inner surfaces of the tubular leg to secure the leg against accidental displacement. The end of the screw is usually accessible through the open end of the tubular leg.

If the base is to be provided with a leveling device, as shown in FIGURE 4, the leveling device comprises a nut 24 secured within the tubular leg, preferably by welding, and provided with a threaded axial bore 26 adapted to receive a leveling screw 27 threaded in said bore. In this embodiment, the axial bore 26 has a diameter large enough to permit a screw driver or Wrench 28 to extend through the bore. If the legs are to be removed, it is necessary only to remove the leveling screw 27 in order to gain access to the screw 23.

The tubular leg 14 preferably has a cross section corresponding generally to the perimeter of the lug 19, but may be of any desired shape so long as two outer surfaces of the lug can be moved into holding engagement with the inner surface of the tubular leg by rotation of the screw 23 in the threaded opening 22. If the tubular leg is too large in cross section for the lug to engage opposite sides thereof simultaneously, shims 24 may be inserted between the lug and the inner surface of the leg, as shown in FIGURE 5.

In the embodiments of the invention in which the tubular legs 14 are secured to the two angle irons 16 having a horizontal flange 17 extending outwardly from the upper edge of the vertical flange 18, the tubular leg preferably has two ends of adjacent sidewalls 29 and 31 cut away, as indicated in FIGURE 6 at 32 and 33, respectively. Each cut away portion 32 and 33 has a length substantially equal to the height of the vertical flange 18. When the leg 14 is secured in place, the two sidewalls 34 and 36 will extend upwardly to the underside of the horizontal flange 17, and thus provide an attractive leg structure by concealing the upper portion of each lug 19, which would otherwise be exposed between the flange 17 and the upper edge of the tubular leg 14. The upper edges 37 and 38 of the shorter sidewalls 29 and 31 abut against the lower edge of the vertical flange 18 at each corner.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 7 to 9, the frame 39 is made of angle irons 41 which may be identical to the angle irons 16, but are arranged differently. In this embodiment, the horizontal flanges 42 extend inwardly from the upper edges of the vertical flanges 43. The ends of the angle irons are welded together to form a rectangle, just as in FIGURE 1. A lug 19 is welded at its upper end to the underside of adjacent horizontal flanges 42 and vertical flanges 43 at each corner of the frame 39. A tubular leg 44 is telescoped over each lug 19 which is then wedged into holding engagement with the leg, just as as in the previously described embodiments.

The sidewalls of leg 44 abut the lower edge of the vertical flanges 43 and are of uniform length, since there is no exposed portion of the lug 19 to be concealed. The lower end of the leg may rest on the floor, as in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, or may be provided with a leveling screw, as in the embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4. It is also possible to use shims 24, as shown in FIGURE 5, with tubular legs 44 that are larger in cross section than lug 19.

The frame 46 in the embodiment of FIGURES 10-12 is the same as the frame 12, and the horizontal flanges 47 extend outwardly from the upper edges of the vertical flanges 48. In this embodiment, a lug 49 is welded at its upper end portion to the inner surfaces of adjacent vertical flanges 48 at each corner of the frame. The lug shown in this embodiment is cylindrical, and is provided with a single axial slot 51 extending diametrically across the lug. If desired, lug 49 may be provided with two or more axial slots, just as in the other embodiments of the invention. It is also possible to use a lug that is rectangular in cross section in place of the cylindrical lug 49, or to use a cylindrical lug in place of lug 19. It is preferred to telescope a cylindrical tubular leg 52 over the lower portion of lug 49 and to thread a screw 53 into a threaded axial bore 54 in the lower end of the lug 49 to wedge it into holding engagement with the inner surface of tubular leg 52.

The lower end of the tubular leg 52 may be provided with an annular nut 56 fixed therein to receive a leveling screw 57, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 12. In the embodiment of the invention provided with a leveling screw, the opening 58 in the annular nut is preferably large enough to permit one end of a screw driver 28 to be inserted therethrough.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not desired to be restricted to the exact structure disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A support structure for supporting an article of furniture, said support structure comprising a frame member, a lug secured to said frame member and depending therefrom, the lower end of said lug having a threaded bore and a slot extending in an axial direction, a tubular leg telescoped over the outer end of said lug, said threaded bore being accessible through the lower end of said tubular leg, and a screw threaded into engagement with said bore to wedge said lug into holding engagement with said tubular leg.

2. A support frame comprising a pair of angle irons each having a horizontally disposed flange and a vertically disposed flange, said angle irons being secured in right angle relationship to form a corner construction in which said horizontally disposed flanges extend outwardly from said vertically disposed flanges, a lug having one end portion secured to said corner construction within the corner angle and depending from said corner construction, said lug having a threaded axial bore extending inwardly from its free end, the free end of said lug being slotted in an axial direction, a tubular leg adapted to telescope over said free end of said lug, said threaded axial here being accessible through the lower end of said tubular leg, and a screw threaded into said bore for wedging said lug into holding engagement with said tubular leg.

3. In a base for supporting an article of furniture, a corner construction comprising a pair of angle irons each having a horizontally disposed flange and a vertically disposed flange, said angle irons being secured in right angle relationship with said horizontally disposed flanges extendnig outwardly from said vertically disposed flanges, a lug having one end welded to said corner construction outside of the corner angle and depending from said corner construction, the free end of said lug having a threaded axial bore and being slotted in an axial direction, a tubular leg adapted to telescope over said slotted end portion of said lug, said threaded axial bore being accessible through the lower end of said tubular leg, and a screw threaded into said bore for wedging said lug into holding engagement with said tubular leg.

4. A supporting frame having a corner construction comprising a pair of angle irons each having a horizontally disposed flange and a vertically disposed flange, said angle irons being secured in right angle relationship with said horizontally disposed flanges extending outwardly from said vertically disposed flanges, a lug having one end portion secured to said corner construction outside the angle between said vertically disposed flanges and depending from said corner construction, the free end of said lug having a threaded axial bore extending inwardly thereof, said lug being slotted in an axial direction from its free end, a tubular leg adapted to telescope over said free end of said lug, said tubular leg having walls thereof cut away from one end to enable outer portions of said leg adjacent said corner construction to abut the under surface of each of said horizontally disposed flanges, whereby the entire outer surface of said lug is concealed by a tubular leg telescoped over the free end of said lug, and means wedging said lug into holding engagement with the inner surface of said tubular leg.

5. A support structure for supporting an article of furniture, said support structure comprising a frame member, a lug having one end portion secured to said frame member and depending therefrom, the free end of said lug having a threaded axial bore and being slotted in an axial direction, a tubular leg adapted to telescope over the free end of said lug, said tubular leg having a leveling nut secured therein, and a screw located entirely within said tubular leg above the top of said leveling nut, said screw being engageable with said threaded opening to wedge said lug into hold-ing engagement with the inner surface of said tubular leg, said leveling nut having an opening therein large enough to allow access to said screw when said tubular leg is secured to said lug.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,515 12/1940 Karsikas 28754 2,904,379 9/1959 Nelson l08156 X 3,036,401 5/1962 Stark 248l88.4 3,052,058 9/1962 Walsh et al 248-188.8 3,063,765 11/1962 Huff l08l56 X 3,099,233 7/1963 Sirnkins 108-156 3,105,976 8/1963 Roche 5-310 3,150,853 9/1964 Lisbin 248-1884 3,182,846 5/1965 Lakalfq 108156 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,276,390 10/1961 France. 1,328,026 4/1963 France.

567,866 10/1957 Italy.

580,661 8/1958 Italy.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

JAMES T. MCCALL, Examiner. 

1. A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE OF FUNITURE, SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER, A LUG SECURED TO SAID FRAME MEMBER AND DEPENDING THEREFROM, THE LOWER END OF SAID LUG HAVING A THREADED BORE AND A SLOT EXTENDING IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION, A TUBULAR LEG TELESCOPED OVER THE OUTER END OF SAID LUG, SAID THREADED BORE BEING ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBULAR LEG, AND A SCREW THREADED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BORE TO WEDGE SAID LUG INTO HOLDING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TUBULAR LEG. 